The Ware County Commission discussed/ voted on the following agenda items during the Monday, June 9 work session and regular meeting.
• Atlas Technical Consultants update: Chris Kingsbury of Atlas Technical Consultants updated commissioners on discussions of two bypasses in the county.
“A bypass would help alleviate back up issues,” said Kingsbury of traffic flow problems with railroad crossings blocked. “There are certain intersections blocked an average of 12 hours a day and down to two hours a day.
“We’ve received approximately 70 responses and concerns. Some asked about roundabouts, which helps in curtailing the severity of accidents, and bike/walking areas in town.”
Kingsbury said a southern bypass would be used for traffic running west to east which would be used by 5-10 percent of overthe- road (OTR) truck drivers. A northern bypass would be in the final phase of future transportation planning.
• Waycross-Ware County Development Authority update: Jason Rubenbauer, President/ CEO Waycross-Ware County Development Authority, gave commissioners numbers concerning employment numbers and what the city/county needs to bring in more jobs.
“Our work force is at 50 percent and made up of ages 16 to 65-plus,” said Rubenbauer. “It’s not from a lack of jobs available, but due to a lack of want to. Our unemployment rate is trending close with the state average (3.6 percent through April) and our average wage is trending with the state.
“Our largest employment is in the health care sector at 19.5% while manufacturing is 7.4%. Education ties to this to help increase the value with a high school diploma or GED, a tech certificate or a degree.”
Rubenbauer talked about business investments increasing the work force. He mentioned the $17.6 million major expansion at GATX creating 38 full-time jobs; Jack’s Box investing $1.2m creating eight full-time jobs; Rural King bringing in 90 jobs, ACE Hardware creating 30-40 jobs; Chipotle, WaWa, Fairfield Embassy Suites, Dunhams and several restaurants adding to the tax base.
According to Rubenbauer, issues needing to be addressed include a non-working workforce capable and able to work; reducing poverty with workforce training; improving housing for workforce to live in Ware County; infrastructure improvements to available sites; and, building expandable facilities.
“It takes money to compete globally to get companies to locate here,” said Rubenbauer. “They want 50,000-100,00 square foot, ready to move in facilities. There are some things we are working on, but not ready to talk about. We’re also looking into developing a site near Ware County High School.”
When asked for an update on the (ADMARES) project announced in 2023, Rubenbauer said there was no update. The Finland-based company specialized in industrialized manufacturing of buildings and homes.
He said there have been 6-8 inquiries on the Simmons bedding site.
“The challenges are to find the right fit for the building without a lot of remodeling,” stated Rubenbauer.
• Approve Hofstadter contract with Thrift Brothers for dirt/street paving: Commissioners tabled the paving of four roads during the Monday, June 6 regular meeting.
Paschall Road, North McDonald Road, Cornelius Road and Griffin Road have been approved for paving. No distances were released.
Commissioners tabled the agenda item until July while trying to secure right-of-way approval along Paschall Road involving a cattle crossing near the intersection with Wadley Road.
“I will contact the owner and see if we can get a dedication,” said County Manager James Shubert. “If we can’t get the approval then we can make it a cul-de-sac.”
According to Shubert, the design for the roads is for two 10-foot lanes with one foot shoulders with a 60-foot scope consisting of varying slopes. Commissioners told Shubert to get with the engineer to see if the scope could be changed to 30 feet.
Commissioner Leonard Burse informed the commission all the T’s needed to be crossed and I’s dotted before moving forward.
“We need to make sure everything is taken care of before we let (award) the contract,” he said. “The bid was to pave all the way to Wadley. We don’t need to go any farther and table this until all the paperwork is in.”
Commissioners voted 4-0 to table the item with Chairman Elmer Thrift abstaining.
• MOU with City of Waycross for Public Safety Training Center: The county agreed, with one paragraph deleted, to the Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Waycross for the James E. Blackburn Public Training Center.
The county will pay 60 percent with the city contributing 40 percent.
Commissioner Jon Tindall made the motion with Commissioner Burse giving the second. The motion passed 5-0.
• DFACS board appointment: The county manager shared with commissioners the appointment to the Department of Family and Children Services is a fiveyear position.
“I have received a letter from DFACS for the reappointment of Linda Booker,” said Shubert. “I have also talked to her and she has agreed to accept the appointment.”
Commissioner Timmy Lucas made the motion to re-appoint Booker with a second from Commissioner Tindall. The motion carried 5-0.
• Purchase request for ADG Software License upgrade: Commissioners approved the purchase price of $80,750 for a ADG Software License to upgrade the iWorks Corporation antiquated system currently being used by the Finance Department and Code Department.
“We currently use ADG in the commission office,” said Shubert. “We need to purchase a license for the Finance Department and the Code Department so we will all be using the same software.
“The initial cost is going to be expensive. The (annual) renewal will save us money.”
According to the county manager, the Code Department’s current annual renewal is $12,362 and would drop to $7,000 annually.
Senior Accounting Supervisor Beverly York told commissioners, “it would streamline requisitions and eliminate human error from our current system.”
“We would like to have it to be efficient and our record keeping would be more efficient,” she continued. “There are all kinds of reports in this software we can use.”
Inspector/Code Enforcement’s Dave Hanson also spoke about efficiency.
“There is a lot of labor involved with the current system of tracking, billing and the transferring of funds upstairs to accounting,” said Hanson. “This would streamline permitting. We would be able to better track contractors’ licenses and notify them if it is about to expire. This system also sends out emails to notify for a renewal.
“It automatically sends out notices for renewals of alcohol and business license with all the documentation attached. Overall, we’re going to see more results moving to this (ADG) system.”
When asked why the bills were not sperated for each department so he could approve them, Shubert stated they were not line items in the budget and he could not sign off.
Funding would come from the IT SPLOST account.
Commissioner Burse made the motion to purchase the ADG Software License with a second by Commissioner Tindall. The motion carried 5-0.
• IT purchase request for 20 PC units: The county manager presented a request to purchase 20 new computers to commissioners for $21,832.80.
Shubert informed the commission current PC computers will not upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 software purchased by the county.
“Our computers are obsolete,” explained Shubert.
Commissioner Tindall made the motion with a second by Commissioner Barry Cox. The motion carried 5-0.
Funding would come from the IT SPLOST account.
• Subscription renewal with CodeRED Public Alerting System: Ware County Emergency Management Director Jonathan Daniell presented a renewal request for the CodeRED Public Alerting system with a price of $18,180 being equally split between the county and city.
“We share features to the public,” said Daniell, “for emergency notifications and weather. The county pays the renewal cost with the city reimbursing its cost.”
CodeRED is an emergency notification system allowing public safety officials to alert residents and businesses about various emergencies and timesensitive information. It can deliver notifications via phone, text, email and social media enabling fast and efficient communication during crises.
Commissioner Lucas made the motion for the subscription renewal with Commissioner Tindall giving a second. The motion passed 5-0.
• CrowderGulf contract for debris removal: Commissioners approved a contract with CrowderGulf Disaster Recovery & Debris Management of Mobile, Ala., for debris removal during natural disaster situations.
According to Commissioner Tindall, the cost is associated with tonnage removed following a disaster like Hurricane Helene.
“You (commission) approved a RFP (Request for Proposal) last month,” said Daniell. “Contracts are for one year with a four-year extension agreement.”
Commissioner Lucas made the motion for the contract with a second by Commissioner Cox. The motion passed 4-1 with Chairman Thrift casting the “nay” vote.
• Thompson Consulting contract for debris removal: Daniels shared with commissioners Thompson Consulting monitors the work being done in a disaster situation making sure entities are paying for the work done.
“This is something we have to have to get grant money back,” explained Commissioner Tindall.
Commissioner Lucas made the motion for the contract with a second by Commissioner Leonard Burse. The motion passed 4-1 with Chairman Thrift casting the “nay” vote.
• Private Property Rights (United Nations) resolution: Commissioners approved a resolution, brought forth by Commissioner Cox, for Private Property Rights against the United Nations.
“You are affirming we won’t take any steps or allow the United Nations to infringe on the rights of the United States Constitution or Georgia Constitution,” said Attorney Jennifer Herzog. “It has no legal affect, but affirms our committment to not infringe on either the U.S. Constitution or Georgia Constitution. The only thing you can control is that the Constitution is not violated and nothing else.”
Commissioner Lucas offered the United States is not part of the United Nations.
“All of this started when the Okefenokee Swamp wanted to be a World Heritage Site,” said Commissioner Lucas.
Commissioner Cox made a motion to accept the resolution with a second by Commissioner Tindall. The motion passed 4-1 with Commissioner Burse voting “nay.”
“I just don’t see any value with this piece of paper,” the commissioner commented.
• County surplus item: Commissioners unanimously approved moving a building at 378 Ossie Davis Boulevard to surplus.
Commissioner Tindall made the motion with a second by Commissioner Burse. The motion passed 5-0.
• Darowyn Lee recognition: Commissioner Cox brought to the commission’s attention a recognition for Georgia Country Music Hall of Fame member and Bickley resident Darowyn Lee, Sr., who passed away in August 2021.
Lee was named to the Hall of Fame in 2021.
“I would like for use to erect a sign in Blickley honoring him,” said Cox. “This is not to rename a road. I would like for the recognition to be done here for the family.”
Attorney Herzog said a resolution could be written.
